New Singlehanded ATW Race - in ten foot boats

[Captain Smollett]

Around In Ten

They are looking for sponsors.

[CapnK]

Zoiks!

And people say *I* have a "small boat" and am crazy to want to cross oceans with it... ;D

[Zen]

yikes!!

[skylark]

Looks like fun!

Wish I had the time.

[Marc]

Sounds interesting.  How about some one from iowa pataking in this event?

[AdriftAtSea]

I hope part of the funds they're raising is going to a bond that will go to cover the cost of SAR efforts when one of these guys gets in trouble.  While, I'm all for sailing and more power to these guys for trying to do it in 10' boats, I don't think it is fair to the guys who have to go out and put themselves on the line to save them.

Dom Mee, a Brit who tried to cross the Atlantic in a very small kite-powered boat cost the USCG a fair bit of money in what was essentially an unseaworthy craft. A French rower did the same thing, twice last year.  He set out in a boat he designed himself and called for help when it was found to leak badly... tried to fix the boat, and then a few days later set off again, and got clobbered by a storm that was pretty easily predicted to be a problem at the time. 

[Lynx]

Let's see, a 13 foot boat carrying a 1000 pounds with a hull speed of 4 knots. A small Flicka would do but I do not see the strength in these boats even with a support ship following them. I am sure that it can be done and has but it sure would be rough.

[skylark]

I would not automatically consider a short or small boat to be unseaworthy, or with a  greater need of rescue services than a larger boat.

[AdriftAtSea]

I would apply the need for a bond against the costs of SAR efforts to any publicity driven stunt, including the recent aborted TinCan circumnavigation, the 1000 days drama, a recent attempt to row across the Atlantic and a British attempt to use a kite rigged boat to cross the Atlantic a couple of years ago. 

If the boats are properly prepared and seaworthy, putting up the bond shouldn't be an issue, since it won't be needed and will gain interest and can be redeemed at the voyage's end. 

[Pappy Jack]

Hi Marc,

Well...being from Iowa and just a little crazy, I'd have to say "NO". A ten foot boat and me at 6'5", I mean, I just don't know where I'd put all of my porn :o not to mention such things as food and water ;). I think the smallest boat I'd try a circumnavigation in would be a Flicka. What say you all ::)?

Fair winds,

Pappy Jack

[Captain Smollett]

I think the smallest boat I'd try a circumnavigation in would be a Flicka. What say you all ::)?

It was not related to a circumnav, but we discussed good traits in small cruisers here.